April opened her eyes long before she got out of bed. She just laid there thinking about what her life had become. Was she happy? Yes. Was she glad to know what freedom felt like? Yes. Did she miss her father? Yes. She missed his smile. She missed his warm hugs. She missed the few moments that could spend together during the day. Had she made the right decision to not fight back? She didn't really know. What could life on the ocean offer her? She had no skill other than fencing and etiquette. What could she really offer to the crew? April finally sat up and decided to write a series of letters to her father with the parchment and ink the Captain had provided. She didn't know how she would send them; she didn't even think her father would ever see them. But writing them would release tension and aggression she felt about her prior life. She would tell him everything. The early mornings, the corsets, the public appearances, the unworthy suitors, the lack of time they spent together. Everything. When she finally finished the letters it was midday. She had written for six hours. She got up from the desk and stretched before heading to the main deck. As she opened the door, April saw Michelangelo talking with a group of crew members by the lookout post. Michelangelo turned at the perfect time to see April approaching him.

He bowed to her, "Good Afternoon Princess. You must have slept very well last night."

"I actually woke up a few hours ago Michelangelo but nonetheless I did sleep wonderfully, thank you. Have you seen the Captain?"

"'Fraid not Princess. He's been busy all morning. No one's caught sight of him since 8. But we did treat you to a wonderful surprise," Michelangelo handed April a beautiful seashell, "Happy Birthday Princess."

"This is so sweet of you. Thank you Michelangelo." She hugged him with such love and respect that the little turtle walked away shaking. But not before one more courtesy bow. Since she wasn't finding any answers on deck, there's nothing April could do but go back to her bunk. She greeted a few of the crew before going to continue reading atlases. When she opened the door, a cobalt blue gown was waiting for her on her bed. April was exasperated that such a lovely dress existed. A little piece of parchment was lying next to the dress. It read,

"It would give me great pleasure to see you wearing this tonight."

Captain Raphael

April held the note to her heart and inhaled the salt air. She couldn't help but smile. She placed the note next to her father's letters and continued to read until the sun went down. She put on the dress and slowly walked to the captain's quarters so it would drag the floor. When she opened the door, she could see the captain admiring the night sky through the window. The room was decorated intricately as if for a celebration. "He did this for me," she thought. It wasn't long before he heard her close the door and turned around. She could see his breath hitch. For her. He cleared his throat and walked towards her.

"You…..are….stunning." He asked for her hand so he could kiss it. April's face ran hot as they sat down.

"You did this all of for me?"

"I can't let the Princess's birthday go unnoticed. It is a time of celebration!"

"So this is where you've been all day?"

"Yep."

"It's beautiful. I can't thank you enough for all you've done."

"You don't have to."

The food arrived from the kitchen and they ate in silence. But not an angry silence, a gracious silence.

"Are you finished," he asked once the food on their plates had disappeared.

"Yes. I really enjoyed it."

Raphael got up from the table and waked over to her. "I'm glad. Now if you would join me." He extended a hand to her and she took it without hesitation.

"Where are we going?"

"My favorite place on the ship." Raphael led April around the corner of the captain's quarters to a spot she'd never seen. It was bow of the ship. The two crooks where the sides of the ship met were where the wind blew best. April walked up to the crook and stood there, taking it all in. She elongated her arms to feel the flying sensation lift her. It was exhilarating. "Do you like it," he asked.

"I love it," April shouted over the rustling wind. They stood in the moonlight admiring the view. The wind began to slow and they could speak normally again. April rested her arms on the safety bar. She was captivated. Her eyes couldn't leave the night sky. Captain Raphael leaned over to face her. "Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen," she asked.

"Second."

April looked at the turtle. He had not been paying attention to the night. His eyes were relaxed and mesmerized by her. He looked at her as if she was the greatest treasure in the world. Once he noticed she had seen him, his gentle smile turned into a nervous grin. Even though he couldn't see it, she was blushing again. But what she didn't know was he was blushing too. April was the first to move in. Raphael wasn't even thinking but he felt himself lean in too. They were less than an inch from each other's kiss when a hidden door slammed open. Michelangelo scrambled out and yelled, "CAPTAIN! WE'RE READY FOR THE PAR-."When the door had opened, Raphael and April had instinctively pulled away. April was admiring the night sky again and Raphael was adjusting his hat. Their backs were facing each other but Michelangelo could tell he had walked in on something. "I'm sorry, was I interrupting something?" For once in her life, April couldn't find a word to say, she just babbled incomprehensible jibberish. Raph was the same, spitting out beginnings of sentences then starting all over again mid-sentence. "I'll take that as a yes." Michelangelo had an evil smirk on his face. Raphael gave him a dirty look before he began to close the door. "I'll leave you two alone." Once the door had shut, they both avoided eye contact. They were too embarrassed to look up at each other. April finally broke the silence.

"I guess…..we should go join them."

She looked at him with sincerity. Raphael's face finally returned to its normal green shade.

"Y-yeah. Sounds great." April took one last look at the sea before turning back to Raphael. He had regained his composure and extended his arms. "Ladies first, your highness." April couldn't help but curtsy.

"Thank you," She squeezed his arm, "For everything."

April couldn't see it, but Raphael's smile had never been bigger.